On this day in history, June 15, 1864, Arlington National Cemetery is established in Virginia
Fox News
The creation of Arlington National Cemetery, on this day in history, June 15, 1864, began with the seizure of Robert E. Lee's Virginia home after he defected to the Confederacy in the Civil War.
The cemetery’s origins in Virginia go back to just before the Civil War. "With the high hilltop position overlooking Washington, D.C., Lee knew the Union forces were likely to seize the property." Within a year, more than 5,000 soldiers, mainly privates, were buried there. Two U.S. presidents are buried at Arlington. Erica Lamberg is a contributing writer for Fox News Digital.
George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of President George Washington, owned a 1,100-acre plantation and constructed on it a memorial to President Washington named Arlington House.